St. Francis Friends of the Poor

What St. Francis Friends of the Poor does

St. Francis Friends of the Poor (SFFP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 in New York City by three Franciscan Friars (Fr. John Felice, Fr. John McVean, and Fr. Thomas Walters) from the Holy Name Province. It pioneered the permanent supportive housing model for homeless individuals with serious mental illness and currently operates three residences in Chelsea, Manhattan, serving nearly 300 residents. Each resident occupies a private bedroom and pays approximately $11-17 per day from government benefits, while receiving on-site medical care, psychiatric services, wellness programs, arts programming, social activities, and daily medication and money management support from interdisciplinary care teams (nurses, part-time psychiatrists, social work supervisors, benefits specialists, and case managers).

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid of government contracts, individual and corporate philanthropy, and planned giving. Government funding flows primarily through NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and NYC HPD. Philanthropic revenue streams include individual donations (one-time, monthly, tribute), corporate sponsorships at $5,000-$200,000 tiers, planned giving through the Fathers John Society, and securities donations. SFFP holds a Charity Navigator 3-Star rating and a Candid (GuideStar) Bronze Seal of Transparency for 2024.

In June 2025, SFFP announced the acquisition of property at 2162 Third Avenue in East Harlem for a 14-story, 181-unit fourth residence (60% supportive / 40% affordable housing), with construction anticipated to begin late 2028 and full occupancy by 2031. The expansion is supported by a development team including Bronx Pro Group, Denham Wolf, ESKW Architects, and Hirschen Singer Epstein, and follows $22 million in 2023 financing secured by Rockabill Consulting to rehabilitate the three existing SRO buildings. Leadership transitioned from the founding friars to secular management in 2016, with Christina M. Byrne, MSW serving as the first non-clergy Executive Director.

Name

St. Francis Friends of the Poor

Legal name

St. Francis Friends of the Poor, Inc.

Website

https://stfrancisfriends.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

St. Francis Friends of the Poor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing with on-site medical, psychiatric, and social services to nearly 300 formerly homeless adults with serious mental illness across three residences in Chelsea, Manhattan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Permanent Supportive Housing

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Supportive housing services
• Homeless services nonprofit
• Permanent housing programs
• Mental health housing
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization relies on donations from individual supporters, with various giving levels and options including one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, and tribute gifts. Donors can give online, by mail, or through qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship opportunities ranging from $5,000 to $200,000, allowing corporations and individuals to restrict gifts to specific programs or activities including medical programs, arts programming, wellness, gardening, and sustainability funds.
3. Government Contracts and Grants: Funding from government agencies including NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and housing subsidies that support operational costs of the residences.
4. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: The Fathers John Society offers planned giving options including bequests, retirement asset donations, and life insurance beneficiary designations, allowing donors to leave lasting legacies.
5. Securities and Stock Donations: Donors can contribute stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, receiving tax deductions for fair market value without paying capital gains tax on appreciated securities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

St. Francis Friends of the Poor operates permanent supportive housing residences that provide affordable, permanent housing coupled with on-site medical, psychiatric, wellness, and social services for formerly homeless adults living with serious mental illness. The organization currently operates three residences in Chelsea, Manhattan serving nearly 300 residents, with interdisciplinary care management teams delivering daily medication and money management support.

Product overview

St. Francis Friends of the Poor operates as a nonprofit permanent supportive housing organization offering a single, integrated service model: the St. Francis Residences. The organization provides affordable, permanent housing coupled with comprehensive on-site services including medical care, psychiatric services, wellness programs, social services, and arts programming. The organization currently operates three residences in Chelsea, Manhattan (Residence I at 125 E. 24th St., Residence II at 155 W. 22nd St., and Residence III at 148 Eighth Ave.), serving nearly 300 residents. A fourth residence is planned for East Harlem. The core housing service is enhanced by interdisciplinary care management teams consisting of nurses, activities coordinators, benefits specialists, part-time psychiatrists, visiting medical doctors, and social work supervisors who ensure tenants receive the comprehensive care they need. Daily weekday check-ins for medication and money management form the foundation of the service model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• St. Francis Residences - Permanent Supportive Housing Affordable, permanent housing coupled with on-site medical, psychiatric, wellness, and social services for formerly homeless individuals living with serious mental illness. The organization operates three residences in Chelsea, Manhattan providing housing for nearly 300 residents.
• On-Site Medical Services On-site primary medical care provided to tenants to keep them healthy, safe, and living longer. Part of the comprehensive care management team at each residence.
• Psychiatric Services Part-time psychiatrists and social work supervisors ensure tenants receive comprehensive psychiatric care and medication management.
• Wellness Programs Nutrition groups, exercise programs, smoking cessation, and recreational opportunities for tenants whose medications often include side effects such as weight gain and lethargy.
• Arts Programming Robust arts program allowing tenants to express themselves using various mediums including watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, and collage. Art is proudly displayed throughout the residences and shared with the community.
• Social and Cultural Activities Outings to local art galleries and museums, movie theaters, pool halls, farmers' markets, seasonal day trips to area parks and historical sites, and community-building opportunities including weekly Tenants' Council meetings.
• Benefit and Money Management Daily check-ins with case managers to help tenants manage their medications, money, and benefits. Government benefits specialists assist tenants with their financial needs.
• Skill-Building Activities Activities including healthy eating, laundry groups, personal care, computer classes, budgeting, and reading/current events groups to help tenants develop practical life skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• No COVID-related deaths and 90% tenant vaccination rate during pandemic
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Bronx Pro GroupcoreOthers · 5 June 2025Joint-venture co-development partner and general contractor for the proposed fourth residence at 2162 Third Avenue in East Harlem.
• NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)coreOthersGovernment partner providing funding and regulatory oversight for mental health services at the residences. DOHMH supports the organization's mission to provide comprehensive care for tenants with serious mental illness.
• NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS)coreOthersPrimary government partner for housing and services for homeless individuals. DHS refers clients and provides funding support for the permanent supportive housing program.
• NYU Langone HealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationHealthcare partner providing medical services and support for tenants. NYU Langone's Family Health Centers provide medical care access for residents.
• Supportive Housing Network of NY (SHNNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association that recognized SFFP founders and advocates for supportive housing policy. SHNNY honored the founders in 2016 for pioneering the permanent supportive housing movement.
• NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)coreOthersGovernment partner for housing development and preservation. HPD provides regulatory support and funding for affordable and supportive housing initiatives.
• Broadway Housing CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellow supportive housing provider founded by Ellen Baxter. Fr. John Felice served as board chair from 2006 to 2016. Organizations share best practices and advocate together for supportive housing.
• F.Y. EyesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit partner providing free PSA advertising network access. Secured LinkNYC advertisement spots across all five boroughs of NYC showcasing tenant stories.
• Holy Name ProvincecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranciscan order that founded and continues to support the organization. Fr. Thomas Walters continues active service as Founder & Chaplain.
• NYC Council Members (Erik Bottcher, Carlina Rivera)coreOthersElected officials who provide advocacy and grant support for the organization. Council Member Erik Bottcher visited Residence 3 during Mental Health Awareness Month.
• AhHa!BroadwaysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit that creates comedy workshops for tenants, helping residents develop performance skills and put on comedy shows.
• NY CaressupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization that partnered with Evercore to help assemble welcome baskets for new tenants.
• Denham WolfcoreOthersReal estate firm providing strategic counsel for the acquisition of the fourth residence, including identifying sites and structuring transactions.
• ESKW ArchitectscoreTechnology or IntegrationArchitectural firm led by Kimberly Murphy providing design vision for the proposed fourth residence development.
• Hirschen Singer EpsteinsupportingOthersLegal counsel providing leadership for the fourth residence acquisition and development process.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Project Renewal: NYC nonprofit operating permanent supportive housing, treatment, and employment programs for homeless and mentally ill adults. Directly comparable mission, service mix (housing + medical/psychiatric services), and NYC government contract base.
• Comunilife: NYC nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing and behavioral health services primarily for individuals with serious mental illness. Strongest direct peer given near-identical target population and integrated housing + clinical services model.
• Services for the Underserved (SUS): NYC nonprofit operating supportive housing, behavioral health, and rehabilitative programs for vulnerable populations including adults with mental illness. Comparable integrated housing + clinical services delivery.
• HELP USA: NYC-based nonprofit operating permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families, including those with mental illness. Directly comparable real estate-based service model and government contract profile.
• Breaking Ground: One of NYC's largest supportive housing providers, operating 4,000+ units of permanent and transitional housing with on-site services for homeless individuals, including those with mental illness. Closest direct peer in scale and population served.
• Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC): Major NYC nonprofit providing housing and supportive services across the homelessness continuum, including programs for mentally ill adults. Comparable scale, referral partnerships with NYC DHS, and integrated service model.
• Housing Works: NYC nonprofit operating supportive housing and healthcare services, with a primary focus on people living with HIV/AIDS and homelessness. Comparable permanent supportive housing + on-site services structure, though different primary population.
• CAMBA: Large Brooklyn-based NYC nonprofit providing supportive housing, workforce development, and case management for homeless and low-income New Yorkers, including programs for those with mental health needs. Comparable scale and NYC government contract portfolio.
• Lantern Community Services: NYC nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing with on-site mental health, medical, and case management services for formerly homeless adults — directly comparable service model and population.
• ACMH Inc. NYC nonprofit providing housing, mental health, and clinical services for adults with serious mental illness. Highly comparable in target population (chronically mentally ill adults) and service integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-francis-friends-of-the-poor
• Instagraminstagram.com/stfrancisfriends

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Francis Friends of the Poor